Test Popcorn Ceiling for Asbestos

July 7, 2016

The Potential Dangers of a Popcorn Ceiling

Are you considering testing your popcorn ceiling for asbestos? Those grooved bumpy patterns on the ceilings in many homes can be extremely dangerous, and consist of Asbestos. This popular stylizing technique, as recent as the 1980s, included the use of asbestos fibers. Asbestos is highly toxic, and is a known carcinogen. You can’t tell just by looking at your popcorn ceiling if it contains asbestos, the fibers are microscopic, thousands of times smaller than the width of the human hair.

So, how do you find out if you have asbestos, and what can you do?

Discovering and Eliminating Asbestos

Certified DIY asbestos test kits, and EPA-trained professionals can verify if you have popcorn ceilings that are made with asbestos. There is no safe method of removing the asbestos yourself, and its presence must be disclosed to future buyers. The cheapest option you have for remedying this problem is to have the popcorn ceiling covered by a special encasement that prevents the asbestos fibers from ever breaking free into the air. Simply testing your popcorn ceiling for asbestos, will reveal whether or not you even need to worry about it.

DIY Asbestos Test Kit

This method is similar to painting on a new layer of paint onto the ceiling, but thicker and more methodical. Painting over the asbestos yourself is considered illegal under EPA regulations. There is no safe way to paint over the fibers and prevent them from getting into the air with traditional house paint.

Thorough Elimination

Removing asbestos popcorn ceilings will be more involved, but it will also be the only way to guarantee present and future homeowners that there is no threat of asbestos. When professionally testing your popcorn ceiling for asbestos; Asbestos specialists will have to wear full protection suits, HEPA filters, and follow hazardous waste protocols when disposing of equipment and materials that were involved in the process.

What to do if your house is old enough to have asbestos popcorn ceilings:

If you’re not sure how old the construction is in your home, aside from testing your paint for lead; testing your popcorn ceiling for asbestos should be a priority. In the meanwhile, try to avoid any unnecessary contact with your ceiling. Don’t attach or place screws into the ceiling. Don’t stack items on top of shelves where it could be possible to brush up against the ceiling. Tell any children to avoid throwing anything up at the ceiling. If they have bunk beds, it’s best to dismantle those until you can get a test to see if your popcorn ceilings contain any asbestos.

DIY Home Asbestos Tests

You don’t have to sit and wait in fear if you simply cannot afford a professional EPA-certified specialist to come out and test your home. Testing your popcorn ceiling for asbestos is as easy as ordering on of our DIY test kits. Each Asbestos test kit is only $32.00, including a lab test, and postage to the lab. Each kit includes:

Dust Mask

Pre Packaged Gloves

Sample Baggies

Chain of Custody

Shipping Label to Lab (Paid) & Shipper Bag

Laboratory Testing

If you suspect that your popcorn ceiling may contain asbestos, it’s important to identify this risk before it’s too late. Our asbestos testing kits are one of the least expensive and ideal solutions to properly assess your situation and protect yourself and the ones you care most about.

Find out if you have asbestos in your home, check our kit by clicking below